FSU's defense feels better prepared for OU hurry-up

One year after getting gassed by Sooners, 'Noles defenders ready for explosive offense

September 13, 2011|By Emory Parker, Correspondent

TALLAHASSEE — Heading into last year's showdown with Oklahoma, Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops told his players about the fast-tempo offense the Sooners run. Although his players listened, little could prepare them for what they were about to experience.

In Oklahoma's 41-17 win, Sooners quarterback Landry Jones was throwing bubble screens for big gains at will, and then ready to run the next play before the defense was set.

"They run two plays in 10 seconds, and the line up ready to go again," FSU defensive end Everett Dawkins said.

Although many of the players on defense thought they had experience playing against the no-huddle, they hadn't seen anything like it.

"I think you have to experience something to know what it's actually like," Dawkins said. "Last year, Stoops told us about the offense, and we all thought we had played against it before. Then we got out there and we were like, man, he wasn't lying. This year everybody knows it and has experienced it."

Add to that the advantage of playing at home with an expectedly loud Doak Campbell Stadium crowd, and FSU feels much more prepared to play Oklahoma

Quick hits

-FSU receiver Bert Reed (ankle) was without a boot Tuesday, but hobbled out to practice. Corner Xavier Rhodes (leg) also did not practice, and was without the boot he had Monday.

-FSU cornerback Greg Reid said Tuesday his father will be in attendance this weekend. The last time Reid's father attended a game against a Top-25 team, FSU beat South Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.